Topic of the Week - Integrating ducks

[Henrik Petersson]

Interesting. I had no idea. I'll be getting other breeds of ducks sometime this year, so I'll have to keep that in mind.

Scovies are another species, not just another breed, so some differences are to be expected.

 

[quackingdom]

Scovies are another species, not just another breed, so some differences are to be expected.

Well, yes. I mean I'm getting REAL ducks! I can't wait to hear some quacking in my backyard.

But I didn't think integrating new ducks would be one of those "difference" areas, because I thought it would be pretty similar over the entire poultry world.

 

[Angela Thomson]

I'm reading a lot on free-range ducks. Won't the hawks get them? Are they too big for a hawk? Mine are fairly large Cayugas. I only let mine out when I'm outside. Especially after it rains and we have puddles to play in.

 

[Miss Lydia]

Always a chance of predators whether flying or walking on 4 legs. It's a decision we all have to make. Mine have half acre fenced with a lot of shrubs and trees for coverage but even with that I still have to put up predator tape and never let mine outside of their fenced area unless I am with them. With free ranging there is always the possibility of loss it has to be a personal decision.

 

[Angela Thomson]

I think I have enough coverage for them to go out. I know I can get them back in with PEAS!

 

[Henrik Petersson]

We have a hawk attack per 6 months or so. It's worth the risk.

 

[quackingdom]

I have never had a hawk attack. One duck mysteriously vanished a couple years ago, so that could have been a hawk, but who knows. I do have quite a few trees, bushes, and man made structures for them to hide under. Every once in a while I will hear them panicking and running for the closest shelter, when they see a big bird flying overhead. We also have a dog nearby, which may have helped.

But it could always happen...

 

[Henrik Petersson]

For some reason, the hawk has always stayed clear of my ducks, and only attacked the chickens. It could simply come down to it not being as used to ducks. Or maybe the ducks are better at avoiding predators. They're landrace, the chickens are not.

 

[quackingdom]

For some reason, the hawk has always stayed clear of my ducks, and only attacked the chickens. It could simply come down to it not being as used to ducks. Or maybe the ducks are better at avoiding predators. They're landrace, the chickens are not.

Same here. Our neighbor has chickens, and has lost several to hawks in only one year.

We have ducks, and no hawk problems.

 

[Skipper81]

It has always been really easy for me introducing ducks and chickens they don't seem to care about each other very much. Pecking order is sorted out in 5 minutes or so. The ducks don't like sharing food and water with the chickens and kinda shew them away. Introducing chickens to chickens seems 10 times harder.
I have a broody muscovy sitting on 8 chicken eggs so that's going to be quite an experience.
I didn't put the eggs under her she stole them.